Monday, March 2, 2015

The Idiot Box

Every place I've worked has tried new things. The
brain-trust would get all fired up (including me) about new ways to organize
work, communicate, and launch innovative ideas to differentiate the organization from
the competition.

Every single one.

Think Outside the (Corporate) Box

I have a very
different perspective on corporate life now. My job is to
help companies take their brand to a world-class level which results in attracting talent that is also world-class. That approach requires the innovative
thinking I used to talk about... a lot.

The challenge with innovative thinking inside the
company is that there will forever be a set of norms, political realities, and
tolerance for true candor. I'm not saying it's right or wrong, I'm simply
telling you it's there.

Don't tell me your shop is different. It's not.

You're Stuck in Your (Corporate) Box

Are you upset
with me yet? Consider this...

How many disruptive leaders have you retained over the
last five years? Did you identify them as someone who was pushing new
boundaries and challenging traditional norms (that you had convinced yourself
were the 'proper' way to be a member of 'your' company?) Or, were they labeled
as not being a 'team-player' and sent on their way (or worse, felt they needed to leave) because they were no longer
a 'good fit'?

Gotcha.

It's Lonely Outside the (Corporate) Box Here's the
tough part for those of us that have dared to step outside the norms and
(barely) lived to tell about it. It's lonely as hell. The obvious challenge is
that while we may see the changes that have to be made, we must also balance
the pace of change with the reality of the corporate culture.

If we push too hard one day, it may be a bit awkward when we're sitting next to our colleagues ten more
times the same week in an endless stream of (productive?) meetings.

How About You

You're not an idiot. You know the perils of finding your
voice and pushing the boundaries and norms of your organization. You know you
will be criticized, questioned, and challenged in a very serious way. You also know
you're doing the right thing.

Leverage your network and trusted external resources for support. Sometimes those that can help you break through the internal self-talk that keeps your
company safely it in it's little box, are not on this inside at all. Does your organization believe it's own press releases about
being innovative and a good place to work? Who exactly is saying that? I bet it's not you anymore.